NFL.com’s Taylor: Patrick Peterson is No. 1 corner in NFL right now

By Adam Green | October 28, 2016 at 10:22 amUPDATED: October 28, 2016 at 9:47 pm

(AP photo)

There is no doubting that Patrick Peterson is one of the best cornerbacks in the NFL.

Of course, some could question where exactly he ranks among the best cover men, but it’s a known fact that he ranks among them.

As of right now, however, he’s at the top.

According to NFL.com’s Ike Taylor, himself a former elite cornerback, Peterson is the No. 1 CB in football through seven weeks. Taylor, who ranks corners every week, moved Peterson up from No. 2.

These rankings are all about what the corners have done lately — and since Week 3, Peterson has been consistently shutting it down while covering the opponent’s best receiver. In the last five games, he has allowed 10 catches for 151 yards on 21 targets, with a touchdown-to-interception ratio of 0:1.

He deserves this spot and will have another tough test this week when Arizona travels to play Carolina. Remember the last time the Cards played in Charlotte? They suffered a 49-15 thumping in last season’s NFC Championship Game. Peterson will have to defend the jump ball against Kelvin Benjamin. The Panthers receiver frequently wins these battles when Cam Newton throws the ball in his vicinity.

Peterson, who has 18 total tackles, two interceptions and three passes defensed this season, has been regularly matched up with opponents’ top receiving threats, and for the most part has not only held his own, but come out on top.

As Taylor pointed out, Peterson will have his work cut out for him Sunday as he will likely be matched up with third-year pro Kelvin Benjamin. The 6-foot-5, 245-pound receiver missed last season with a torn ACL, but has come back this year to catch 29 passes for 394 yards and four touchdowns in six games.